The Rockies on Tuesday announced the 24 non-roster players receiving invitations to this year’s major-league spring training camp. Nick Groke has the details.

There are some intriguing names on the list.

Start with hard-throwing right-handed reliever John Axford. The former Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians closer can earn a $2.6 million base salary if he makes the major-league roster, and he can make an additional $1.5 million in incentives. The Rockies could really use him in their bullpen. He strikes out plenty of hitters, but he’s also been walking too many.

Top prospect Jon Gray gets his second invite to camp. The big right-hander’s mission this spring is to hone his talents and show more consistency. Can he make the 25-man roster out of camp? It’s possible, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I would expect him to make his major-league debut this season. We’ll see.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Yohan Flande throws in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals June 25, 2014 at Coors Field. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

The Rockies invited 24 players not already on their roster to spring training camp starting next week. They include some big questions about the makeup of the pitching staff to start the 2015 season.

Jon Gray, who pitched exclusively for Double-A Tulsa last season, will compete for a roster spot alongside Eddie Butler, his Drillers teammate last season. Butler made the jump to the big leagues for three games. To start spring, though, both are on the outside looking in at a Rockies rotation that currently pencils in as Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Tyler Matzek, Jordan Lyles and Kyle Kendrick.

But will the young pitchers show well enough to crack the Rockies’ roster out of spring? Can newly-acquired David Hale make a move to a starting spot? Did a spot starter last season carve out a spot for himself?

Colorado Rockies owner Dick Monfort walks off the field before a game against the San Diego Padres on July 8, 2014, at Coors Field. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

The Rockies opened up to their fans during a live chat on Twitter Friday afternoon.

The participants — owner Dick Monfort, new general manager Jeff Bridich, manager Walt Weiss and new pitching coach Steve Foster — played it fairly close to the vest. The Q&A that appeared on Twitter was pretty thematic, but there were other, more specific questions about possible trades, free-agent acquisitions, etc. that were handled off the Twitter screen.

The Rockies PR department is working on releasing the entire chat, so there is more to come.

A few of my observations based on what I was able to view via Twitter:

It’s evident that a contingent of fans are angry about the Rockies’ consistent losing. To his credit, Monfort answered some of those critics by promising more victories. Of course, words ring hollow if there are no results to back up the words.

Bridich, like most general managers, is not going to give up specific information very often.

Weiss said the “Darkness on the Edge of Town” is his favorite Bruce Springsteen song. I choose to disagree. Thunder Road is the best … not that you care.

Eddie Butler’s start Saturday for the Rockies will figure like a do-over. In hindsight, the Rockies’ rookie pitcher may have jumped to the big leagues too soon. And his experience this season may lead Colorado to rewrite its prospect sheet.

Butler, who was recalled to Colorado on Tuesday, will pitch twice for the Rockies over the 11 remaining days this season, in a kind of an early-look tryout for 2015. The rookie will pitch his second and third big-league starts after a disastrous debut in June.

“At that time, I didn’t think he was ready,” said Kevin Riggs, his manager with the Tulsa Drillers. “If you had asked me that last year, I thought he was ready. But this year, some of the things they were working on hadn’t transpired yet. He’s in a much better place this second time around. I’m hopeful he’ll gain some confidence from it.”

Butler, 23, gave up six runs on 10 hits against the Dodgers in June, after he was called up to replace Christian Bergman, who was called up to replace Jordan Lyles. Soon after, he was put on the disabled list with a muscle strain in his right armpit.

“The most valuable lessons are learned the hard way,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “He’s had to struggle a little this year, relative to last season. There’ve been some challenges this year for Eddie. Hopefully he comes out the other side better for it.”

While Butler will get two more big-league games under his belt, two other highly touted Rockies pitching prospects won’t have that chance. But their paths might already be set.

Top Rockies prospect Jon Gray is on the seven-day DL as he rests up for Double-A Tulsa’s postseason. (Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post)

In case you missed it (ICYMI in the Twittersphere), word came out last night that right-hander Jon Gray and lefty Tyler Anderson, two of the Rockies’ top prospects at Double-A Tulsa, have been placed on the disabled list.

There’s a big difference between necessity and desperation. And the Rockies — in going 5-10 since May 18 to fall progressively further behind red-hot San Francisco in the National League West — have underlined a need to boost their pitching staff.

The trick is to do it before the team gets desperate.

There are three highly-touted pitching prospects in Double-A waiting for a big-league shot with the Rockies:

In less than a week, the Rockies went from having a surprising surplus of pitchers to struggling to fill out a rotation. Brett Anderson’s move to the disabled list Sunday — after breaking a finger during an at-bat, just his ninth career at-bat — is the latest setback to Colorado’s rotation.

Anderson posted a photo of the X-ray of his broken finger (with the caption “Not so much here or here but right here…” — an excellent Tommy Boy reference, by the way, in case you were about to look it up):

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jordan Lyles delivers against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a spring exhibition baseball game on Sunday, March 16, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (Associated Press)

GLENDALE, ARIZ. — Jordan Lyle’s performance Sunday wasn’t indifferent as much as it was inconclusive. He had an opportunity to create separation in the fifth starter derby and was unable to escape the fifth inning in the Rockies’ 3-3 tie with the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch.

Lyles breezed through three innings, then ran into trouble in the fourth. Adrian Gonzalez punched a groundball through a drawn-in infield, and Juan Uribe doubled. Traffic in the fifth led to an early exit as Lyles reached 75 pitches.

“I felt good. The changes I have made (to get more groundballs) have been beneficial,” said Lyles, who allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings on five hits.

Lyles’ ERA climbed to 2.92. Statistically he has a slight lead over Franklin Morales. Morales’ versatility could land him in the bullpen. Lyles is viewed only as a starter.

His performance this spring has soothed concerns about Matt Belisle’s slump this spring and the interest in making a trade. A Rockies’ source said Sunday that the team is not looking to acquire a right-handed setup man, preferring to give Bettis or Chris Martin a chance before pursuing a deal.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Eddie Butler and Jon Gray weren’t making the Rockies team out of spring. This was the plan from the end of last season, a reflection of their limited minor league innings.

But they made the Rockies’ decision interesting, maximizing their monthlong stay with ability and maturity that suggests it won’t be long before they return to the bigs. Both were sent down on Saturday and will resume pitching on regular rest in minor-league camp.

Rockies pitchers were roughed up in a loss to Oakland. Reliever Matt Belisle gave up four runs as his ERA ballooned to 10.80. (Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post).

PHOENIX — Tyler Chatwood had his right arm wrapped in ice, and wasn’t worried about his inability to cool off the Athletics. For the first time in his career, the right-hander knows he’s breaking camp in a starting rotation. He has a few outings left to get tuned up after Thursday’s 10-5 loss.

“I thought I threw some pretty good sliders, but they must have been picking them up out of my hand,” Chatwood said. “My arm feels good.”

The Rockies were not playing with a full lineup. All-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was supposed to play in this game before getting struck with a fastball in his left calf/fibula on Wednesday. He told The Post that he’s not sure how long he will be out. The injury is not serious, but he won’t return until the swelling has gone down, per the Rockies training staff. Wade Miley hit Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki had no comment when asked if he thought it was intentional.

Rockies reliever Rex Brothers, right, is congratulated by catcher Wilin Rosario after closing out the Giants last season. Brothers has been one of the Rockies’ best first-round picks. (The Associated Press)

Excitement is percolating about Rockies pitching prospects Eddie Butler and Jon Gray. Rightly so. They have been impressive during spring training, both as pitchers and as young men.

Perhaps the Rockies have finally hit the jackpot with their first-round pitching selections. The track record up to this point has not been very good. Here’s a look back:

First-round Legacy
Pitchers selected by the Rockies in the first round of the draft during the era of general manager Dan O’Dowd (1999-2013):

2013, RHP Jonathan Gray, Oklahoma (3rd overall): Based on sheer talent, the hard-throwing Gray has a chance to be the best pitcher in Rockies history. In his first year in pro baseball, the former Oklahoma Sooner posted a 1.93 ERA and struck out 51 in 37 1/3 innings in rookie ball in Grand Junction and High-A Modesto. He’s looked very good in his first big-league camp.

Right-hander Eddie Butler has a chance to make his big-league debut with the Rockies this season.

2012, RHP Eddie Butler, Radford (46th *): There is a very good chance the talented Butler could pitch for the Rockies in 2014. Armed with a great, sinking fastball and a good slider and changeup, he roared through low-A Asheville, High-A Modesto and Double-A Tulsa last season, compiling a 1.80 ERA in 28 starts.

2011, LHP Tyler Anderson, Oregon (20th): The Rockies have been careful bringing along the lefty, but at this point he must be labeled a major disappointment, as he has yet to reach Double-A. He was terrific for Modesto last April, posting a 2.86 ERA before he was shut down in May with shoulder soreness. He returned to pitch solid in August, posting a 2.11 ERA and holding opponents to a .196 average against.

SCOTTSDALE — When Eddie Butler pitches, you half expect to see sparks sprinkle the mound. He is a live wire. And I am not just talking about his arm. His personality is electric. He has admittedly struggled in the past with showing his displeasure with umpires. He was pleased he was able to maintain his composure during his debut on Monday as the zone tightened in his third inning of work.

The video roundup from Monday:

Jon Gray made a strong impression his Cactus League debut. It was a bit odd because he pitched in relief for the first time since high school:

Rockies infielder Cristhian Adames is unable to field the ball as Ketel Marte of the Seattle Mariners steals second base during a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 5, 2014, in Peoria, Arizona. (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

PEORIA, Ariz. — Brett Anderson had butterflies, and he didn’t mind one bit.

“I was a little nervous, being with a new organization,” Anderson said Monday afternoon as the Rockies lost 8-1 in exhibition play to the Seattle Mariners. “But that’s a good thing. I’m usually not nervous for a spring game, but I was a little today.”

The left-handed starter, making his Cactus League debut in a Rockies uniform, impressed with his tempo and an effective slider. He tossed two scoreless innings and called it “a good day’s work.” He allowed two hits (one an infield grounder to Robinson Cano), walked one and struck out two. He threw 36 pitches, 24 of them for strikes.

Top Rockies prospect Jon Gray was impressive in his two innings during an intrasquad game Thursday. (Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post)

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Impressive heat by the Rockies’ two prized pitching prospects, back-to-back home runs and a scary moment for lefty Jayson Aquino.

Those were the noteworthy moments from the Rockies’ spring training intrasquad game Thursday afternoon at Salt River Fields.

Aquino, a 21-year-old pitcher from the Dominican Republic, was hit on the left side of his head on a line drive by Rafael Ynoa in the fifth inning and removed from the game. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and to be monitored for a possible concussion.

“The ball clipped him in the side of the head, but he seemed to roll with it,” manager Walt Weiss said. “It hit him pretty good, but he kind of rolled his head to the side. That was a pretty scary moment. But they took him to the hospital and were going to run some tests. But he seemed to be OK.”

Rookie right-handed pitchers Eddie Butler and Jon Gray, both in their first big-league camp, were impressive during the six-inning game.

The Rockies’ left-handed starter, who missed much of the last two seasons because of a lower-back problem, will start Monday night’s Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. (It’s the second half of a split-squad day for the Rockies). It’s fair to say the Friedrich is ahead of schedule and will make a bid for a spot in the rotation now that right-hander Jhoulys Chacin is out with a shoulder strain.

“I’m throwing everything now,” Friedrich said Wednesday morning. “Some of the pitches I threw (Tuesday in live batting practice) felt really good. I was really able to let them go. I’ve had no issues with the back. There are no brakes being put on me, so whatever I can handle, I can handle.”

Everything about them is different. Eddie Butler is wiry 180 pounds, with a quick smile and lively quote. Jon Gray is a horse, weighing 235 pounds. He’s more reserved, opening up only as trust is gained.

Yet everything about them is similar. They are the Rockies’ top two pitching prospects. They have reached 100 miles per hour on the radar gun, Butler in the first and final game last season. Gray isn’t sure if he topped it last year in the minors — he likely did — but knows he pulled it off against Kansas and Virginia Tech in his junior year at Oklahoma.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — I just got back to the Rockies’ office complex at Salt River Field after watching Tuesday’s morning practice. Here are some early camp observations:

* Pitching prospects Jon Gray (he says he prefers Jon to Jonathan) and Eddie Butler threw their first official big-league bullenpen sessions. They worked side by side and the contrast was striking. Gray, last year’s first-round pick, is tall and powerful. His delivery is smooth and classic. His fastballs exploded into catcher Wilin Rosario’s mitt.

Butler, shorter, more compact, has a more unorthodox delivery, but he was consistently down in the strike zone. The terrific movement on his pitches — his calling card — was clearly evident.

* It’s very clear why the Rockies brought catcher Michael McKenry into camp to compete for a backup job. He’s a vocal, passionate veteran presence. He caught Butler’s bullpen session and worked hard to make sure Butler was hitting his locations and releasing the ball from the proper arm slot. In short, McKenry was teaching. I see a future career in coaching/managing for McKenry when his playing career is finished.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.